My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

she could even offer some

cake is so pretty,

making a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper

of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what should we

that, the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a Happy

the ‘Happy

Rachel must close her eyes and make

Rachel must blow out

indicate to Julian that

candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any of its

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

have to say it in your heart and not out

found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at

gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that,

to say thank you!”

Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed

the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first

me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else. As

I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At

on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to

and headed

her apartment and about to close

a loud slam, the door was propped open by a large

glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like

on business? she

himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the

“I see you’ve been

she took two steps back. Why

pulled off his necktie

“I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

by step he approached her, forcing her

Rachel had no idea what she

of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the